DIY Home built compact tractor

[joes_427_vette]

Ryan L & GT 2 ; Sounds like a couple real interesting projects. A friend of mine made an articulated loader using a chrysler four cylinder with a front drive automatic transmission. After mounting the engine he welded one end of the transmission output and used it to operate the hyrdaulic pump. It turned out very nice. He runs into more salvage parts for practically nothing than I can count. The only real problem was the welded axle shafts would snap with heavy use. Will be looking for some of Ryan's progress pictures as well. Some interesting engineering takes place in these projects.

[dfkrug]

GT2:

I am working on a Sammy, too, with the idea of making a nice
utility vehicle with hyd dump and 4WD. I do wish I had the AT
instead of the 5sp. I can get multiple 86-89 vehicles here for
$500 each.

Questions: Why do you want to narrow the wheel track (axle width)?
What is wrong with using the existing 1.3 liter gas motor?

[GT2]

Originally Posted by dfkrug

GT2:
Questions: Why do you want to narrow the wheel track (axle width)?
What is wrong with using the existing 1.3 liter gas motor?

While the sammy is not a large vhic, it is still a bit wide compaired to a compact tractor. I need something that can get down fence lines and buildings in the city (5').
I guess there is nothing wrong with the 1.3, I just wanted diesel, better low end power and safer than gas.
Tim

[GT2]

I snuck in a little time on the project after work tonight.
Heres the rear axle apart. Needs to be shortened 8-5/8".


Here the axle tube is cut and the bearing housing retainer is trimed off. Notice the piece of tube inside the retainer ( lower right), I just pop it out and press the housing on the cleaned up tube end.


The bearing housing on the shortened tube. I've checked "caster" and camber, I still need to check toe then weld it up.

[dfkrug]

Originally Posted by GT2

While the sammy is not a large vhic, it is still a bit wide compaired to a compact tractor. I need something that can get down fence lines and buildings in the city (5').
I guess there is nothing wrong with the 1.3, I just wanted diesel, better low end power and safer than gas.
Tim

I find the Suzuki to have very similar track and wheelbase to my 2
compact tractors. Indeed the super-short wheelbase of only 72" is
one of the reasons these vehicles are so prone to rollover on the
hwy. I see that the folks who modify these to make "rock-crawlers"
out of them like to eliminate any anti-sway bars to increase suspension
travel. This exacerbates the rollover tendency.

Since you want to make a tractor out of the Suzuki, are you going
to eliminate the suspension? If so, you will want to incorporate a
front axle center frame pivot.

[GT2]

Originally Posted by dfkrug

Since you want to make a tractor out of the Suzuki, are you going
to eliminate the suspension? If so, you will want to incorporate a
front axle center frame pivot.

That is my plan.
Any idea how much front pivot " swing" there should be?

Say, I notice in your PP there is a pic of a Backhoe mounted PHD.
It looks like the PHD is powered from the bucket cyl hyd's?
Does it use the same control valve also?

[supertiger]

What if you had two Sizuki front axils on it and made it all wheel steering? of course you would need two create a power steering system for both ends.

[GT2]

Originally Posted by supertiger

What if you had two Sizuki front axils on it and made it all wheel steering? of course you would need two create a power steering system for both ends.

I had a friend suggest that also, we bench raced about it. I have axcess to some boat hyd helm units and slave/servo cyl's. Its very do-able, but I dont want to get that complicated.

[JPinnell]

I've been planning for a couple of years and actually started to gather parts for something very similar. Almost a M274 military mule.

I am going to do 4 wheel steer using two Dana 30 front axles left from regearing my Jeep Comanche. I plan to shorten them and make it a centered pumpkin to use the 2 short axles. I'll be using either radius arms front and rear or the articulating tractor style front end suspension. I do plan to use a transfer case from a Samurai since it's divorced and has flanged input and outputs. I picked up a junker hyd drive golf course mower and plan to couple the wheel motors to the transfer case. Thsi will give variable speed and 2 spd ranges. I'll either weld the diffs or do the poor mans traction control using turning brakes VW Dune Buggy style.

I should end up with something more capable than an ATV and for half the price. I'll use it for hauling firewood and eventually snow plowing the driveway. Hopefully it'll be a Summer project, but I've got to finish my Changfa Generator first.

I'm anxious to see how your's come along :-)

- JP

[dfkrug]

Originally Posted by GT2

That is my plan.
Any idea how much front pivot " swing" there should be?

Say, I notice in your PP there is a pic of a Backhoe mounted PHD.
It looks like the PHD is powered from the bucket cyl hyd's?
Does it use the same control valve also?

How much swing? I have not measured it, but it is prob 2" of
swing at 12" from center. There will need to be a firm stop for
the frame to rest when the axle is firmly pivoted to full swing.

Yes, my hyd PHD is a Worksaver 714H unit, adapted to my hoe,
using the curl circuit for the hyd motor. Works great.

4-wheel steer is a cool idea. I would love to try it some day.
It would work well for a low speed tractor, but poorly at higher
speeds unless Rears turn only a few degrees.